Re: [HOE] Guns&ammo in odd environments

[Matt Crawford <matt@severian.chi.il.us>]

> The problem with bullets is if they do have enough oxygen within the shell
> to complete combustion, what do you think will happen when you expose them
> to space?
> 
> Right.  The pressure within the shell will try to equalize with the pressure
> outside the shell.  In the wussy version, the oxygen simply leaks from the
> shells rendering them inoperable.


No, no, no, no, no.

The space capsule's windows are made of silicon dioxide.  Does the
oxygen leak out of the windows?  No.  It's not a gas.  The oxygen in
the powder charge of a firearm cartdige is not gaseous either.  If it
were, it would be under so much pressure that the difference between
hard vacuum or sea level air outside would be unnoticeable.